Term Infant Formulas Influencing Gut Microbiota: An Overview

Abstract

Intestinal colonization of the neonate is highly dependent on the term of pregnancy, the mode of delivery, the type of feeding [breast feeding or formula feeding]. Postnatal immune maturation is dependent on the intestinal microbiome implementation and composition and type of feeding is a key issue in the human gut development, the diversity of microbiome, and the intestinal function. It is well established that exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months or more has several benefits with respect to formula feeding. The composition of the new generation of infant formulas aims in mimicking HM by reproducing its beneficial effects on intestinal microbiome and on the gut associated immune system (GAIS). Several approaches have been developed currently for designing new infant formulas by the addition of bioactive ingredients such as human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), probiotics, prebiotics [fructo-oligosaccharides (FOSs) and galacto-oligosaccharides (GOSs)], or by obtaining the so-called post-biotics also known as milk fermentation products. The aim of this article is to guide the practitioner in the understanding of these different types of Microbiota Influencing Formulas by listing and summarizing the main concepts and characteristics of these different models of enriched IFs with bioactive ingredients.

Baseline Concentrations of Various Immune Biomarkers Determine Their Increase after Consumption of a Postbiotic Based on Cow’s Milk Fermented with Lactobacillus paracasei CBA L74 in Both Newborns and Young Children

“…Another factor of importance for the baseline concentrations of immune markers is the development of the microbiome, which depends, if applicable, on the selection of the infant formula [26]. The diet of the mother during pregnancy is known to affect this composition [27] as well as the general status of the mother [28].…”

African fermented foods: overview, emerging benefits, and novel approaches to microbiome profiling

“…Despite this, the data that is available in relation to the health-promoting properties of specific African fermented foods and their associated microorganisms provides cause for optimism, with potential future applications including preventing the colonization of pathogens, treatment of infectious diseases, improved lactose tolerance, immune system modulations, improved barrier function, interference with quorum sensing signaling and the production of antimicrobial substances 58 . There are, however, limited reports on clinical randomized trials on the application of African fermented foods to improve general health with positive outcomes on conditions such as acute diarrhea in infants 59 – 61 . This could be associated with the microbiota in controlling enteric pathogens by inhibiting attachment of the pathogens’ pili to gut mucosa, through the release of organic acids and antimicrobial peptides, by competing for limited nutrients as well as the neutralization of exotoxins released by pathogens 62 , 63 .…”

Chemoenzymatic Synthesis of Asymmetrically Branched Human Milk Oligosaccharide Lacto-N-Hexaose

“…Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are a group of structurally complex glycans that are highly abundant in breast milk and are associated with various biological events in the human body ( Chen et al, 2015 ; Cheng et al, 2021 ; Chutipongtanate et al, 2022 ). Several mechanisms of HMOs that provide health benefits, including intestinal microbiome regulation, epithelial and immune cell response modulation, prevention of viral infection, and the provision of nutrients to the brain, have been examined ( Bode, 2012 ; Kulinich and Liu, 2016 ; Kirmiz et al, 2018 ; Fabiano et al, 2021 ; Moore et al, 2021 ; Morrin et al, 2021 ; Rousseaux et al, 2021 ). Due to advances in the structural analysis of HMOs by mass spectroscopy, most of the HMO scaffolds and linkages have been documented and studied ( Ruhaak and Lebrilla, 2012 ; Bao et al, 2013 ; Mernie et al, 2019 ; Tsai et al, 2019a ).…”